May 12, 2015

11:54 AM

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Her Life Depends On It III & Women’s Health and Physical Activity

On May 12, 2015, we released the third edition of Her Life Depends On It, our comprehensive look at the links between participation in sport and physical activity and the health and well-being of American girls and women. The report is compiled from more than 1,500 studies examining women’s athletics and health, and research shows that for girls and women, the pathway to living a strong and healthy life is paved in part by participation in sport and physical activity. Whether being armed to conquer the physical challenges of daily living or developing the mental fortitude to overcome life’s obstacles and inner struggles, the more active girls and women are, the more prepared they are to reach their goals, handle what life presents to them, and draw upon their own power when necessary.

In conjunction with Women’s Health Week (May 10 – May 15), we created a WSF Report Brief, an overview of the women’s and girls’ health-related topics covered by Her Life Depends On It III. Available for download here, this report brief highlights how living an active life impacts both the physical and mental health of girls and women of all backgrounds.

Keep reading for Brief highlights or download the full resource to learn exactly how living an active life impacts both the physical and mental health of girls and women of all backgrounds.

Obesity: “Girls who are more sedentary are more likely to be overweight than boys who are sedentary2, urging the need to address the fewer opportunities for sport and physical activity participation for girls and issues of access to those opportunities.”

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: “In general, the more physically active, the more likely a person would not experience cognitive decline later on in their life.”3

Exercise: “Exercise has the capacity to stimulate the creation of brain-derived neurotropic factor, which aids in the repair of neurons and the generation of new neurons.”4

In addition to its examination of the positive impact of physical activity on girls’ and women’s health, the report provides an in-depth look at critical topics like vulnerability to concussion, breast cancer risk, suicide, educational gains and women in the sport workplace.

The report is compiled from more than 1,500 studies examining women’s athletics and health, and research shows that for girls and women, the pathway to living a strong and healthy life is paved in part by participation in sport and physical activity.

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